Artwork by
Dennis Murphy

For the students, by the students

Ag Sciences week participants feast at Mo-Ag BBQ
By Cat Vaughn, Corner Post staff

The 42nd Annual Mo-Ag Barbeque kicked off Ag Sciences Week at the Hearnes Center Wednesday, February 2. With over 40 companies and products present, anyone who is anyone in the agriculture business was there.

The Fieldhouse held a pleasant atmosphere as students, faculty, alumni and business people conversed over one passion: agriculture. People mingled amongst the booths until the barbeque started at 11:30 a.m. With six full lines to wait in, one man joked, “Who’d have thought I’d have to come all the way to Missouri to get good barbeque?”

At noon, Dean Thomas Payne began the Mo-Ag presentation. Dean Payne thanked everyone who attended the barbeque. He cordially called on all students and faculty involved in the College of Agriculture, Food, and Natural Resources to stand and be recognized. The student representation was fairly high with members from Block and Bridle, Corner Post, CAFNR STUCO and other clubs.

Block and Bridle’s Jameson Scoggin spoke briefly about the ham auction they were hosting.

“ The hams were cured by students,” said Scoggin.

Chaos continued throughout the majority of the auction with the auctioneer rambling prices almost incoherently. The last ham sold for an estimated $160.

Jessica Triphahn, a senior within CAFNR, came to the Mo-Ag Barbeque to look for prospective businesses she might be interested in working for after she graduates in December 2005.

“ I didn’t bring my resume with me because I figured if there were any companies I was interested in I could come back tomorrow,” said Triphahn.

Triphahn is not alone in her quest to find jobs in the agriculture business. The number of students interested in the agricultural field across Missouri’s universities has risen by 7,000 students over the course of five years. Now 62,000 students are active in the school of agriculture in the UM system.

While Ag participation has increased throughout the years, the University of Missouri-Columbia still holds the highest graduation rate of students from CAFNR than any other college in the state of Missouri.

CAFNR seeks “excellence in advising and teaching students,” said Dean Payne. Already, CAFNR’s Teaching Scholars Program has been recognized as the outstanding teaching program offered at Mizzou. CAFNR also won the presidential teaching award, and the state graduate teaching award

MU’s excellence with CAFNR has led the college to make plans to expand. $65 million is being raised to benefit the students in the college.

“ We want to keep the University of Missouri accessible and affordable,” said Dean Payne.

Chancellor Brady Deaton also spoke about the advancements in CAFNR in relation to his personal experiences.

“ I value so much the roots I bring to the occasion,” said Deaton. These will lead to the “values of the future.”

Students interested in a future career in agriculture must “have an inborn fondness, appreciation and understanding for the agricultural climate in Missouri, or else they will be unhappy,” said Howard Pehle, a loan officer for the Missouri Department of Agricultural and Small Business Development Authority.

With an understanding and passion for agriculture, the business market is wide spread. Options range from corporations, government agencies and even non-profit organizations.

The 42nd annual Mo-Ag Barbeque opened many students’ eyes to the benefits of being a CAFNR student.

Companies, Organizations and Products represented at Mo-Ag:
Big River Zinc Corporation
Better Crops, Inc.
Missouri Enterprise
Missouri Department of Agriculture
Cline Wood Agency
Farm Credit Services of Missouri
Precision Scale and Controls, Inc.
TerraGator
Community Food Systems and Sustainable Agriculture
DTN
DuPont
Helena
University of Missouri Center for Agroforestry
Hagie
University of Missouri-Columbia School of Natural Resources
Wyffels Hybrids
Missouri Corn Growers Association
Missouri Seeds Southern
Fontanelle
University of Missouri Outreach and Extension
Superior Services
Stine Corn
Midwest Laboratories
Agrotain International
College of Agriculture, Food, and Natural Resources
Ag Electronic Bulletin Board
CF Industries
Young Co.
Dow Agro Sciences
Agriliance, LLC
Junge Control
Van Diest Supply Co.
Tri-Rinse
Custom Applicator Technology
BASF
Mosanto
Shoal Creek Watershed
FAPRI
Doyle Manufacturing
MFA Inc.
GVM
United Agri Products

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